-2-                             
 
                               (I)                          
                         Leningrad.                         
 Soviet Government were very concerned and 
      were trying to improve their position. Germans had crossed Volkhov 
     and were trying to advance Northeast but were being hel
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                           (II)                             
                          Moscow.                           
 Germans 
      break-through near Mozhaisk October 14 was responsible for decision 
      to evacuate Government authorities and diplomatic corps on October 
      15th. This break-through had now been held; Germans had only 
      advanced a few kilometers and that only at expense of great losses. 
      Although Germans had taken Kallinin a week ago, fighting was 
      still going on there with Soviet infantry and tanks in occupation 
      of Southern outskirts. Germans held the center. West of Moscow 
      bitter fighting was proceeding in the approaches to City but 
  there had been no noticeable German advance since October 
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                           III)                             
                       Southern Front                       
. 
   Position difficult, Germans advancing slowly towards Rost
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                           (IV)                             
                           Crimea                           
. Germans 
           were held on Isthmus but pressure was great.     
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            (V)                             
                          Kharkov.                          
 Position 
                             steady.                        
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
(VI) Molotov stressed that 
          fighting spirit of people was quite unbroken.